The Siege Weaponizers were pretty cool considering how they turned what once were accessories for the G1 Titans into independent figures that can both go well with them but also add a sweet gimmick in the form of becoming extra arsenal for your other Transformers. We'll get to the fourth, missing Weaponizer after talking about the two Modulators in the Earthrise line, but let's focus on Ironworks for a moment. He's got no character but it is interesting how they can turn a Micromaster base into a robot. He may not include a Micromaster named Irontread (who is renamed as such because the name now belongs to the base), but I think he's still kinda cool as a robot. Let's delve into the review!
Here we have Ironworks in his crane mode. It's a fairly straightforward one with ramps that encourage you to link more toys together. I like the color scheme as well as the play value it has, though as things are nowadays, each sold separately. While a crane platform may not have much play value on its own without the added Micromasters and other stuff, you can at least spin the crane arm on the 5mm post while also hinging at part of it so you can pretend its lifting things up. No string for the hook but it's expected given how it works.
Let's use Optimus Prime's trailer as part of the gimmick, which is neat but then I remember that Optimus's trailer has a 5mm post that can't go away.
Now let's turn him into a communications tower. You pretty much take him apart, make use of the hinges on those clips, pretend that the left arm on the top as a multi-peg cannon, use the shovel as...something, and deploy the right arm like a cannon, and that covers it! There is no windmill on it, which is odd because that was one of the stand-out attributes of the tower mode if you ask me. Still, it's got some of the same play-set value that you'd get back in the late 80s/early 90s.
Now transforming him in his robot mode is yet another example of parts forming. You straighten the arms, attach the legs after flipping out the thighs, attach the ramps, and revealing the head. Now as for the robot mode, it's a very drone-like design that I can see stand out despite not being attached to a specific character. The colors do work well and kind of make for a unique deco for the design while also homaging the Micromaster in some aspects. Some interesting details are the red vents on the right of the chest, the yellow being painted on rather than molded, and the asymmetry regarding the arms. I think the asymmetry between the Weaponizers is kinda neat, especially so as to give them a bit of distinction between themselves and the more familiar faces. Also, he has a hook and a normal left hand.
Head sculpt is given a nice gunmetal gray helmet but both the visor and the mouthplate are red. Kinda sucky but it's something that won't ruin my day. The articulation is the same as almost every WFC figure, though his waist swivel is more like a waist hinge that attaches to one of the ramps and can only wiggle rather than spin. If the hook hand isn't enough, he has a gun that's not too shabby if a little industrially generic.
Here are a few reuses of Ironworks worth mentioning: this is Greasepit, a Decepticon reuse of the mold that turns into a gas station! I think it's also got a tiny convenience store or a car-wash, but those new accessories make me feel nostalgic for Hot Wheels playsets. He's more Autobot-like in terms of the coloring but it makes sense for him since he's less construction-themed and more fuel-themed.
And for a reuse of the actual Ironworks, this is the Botropolis Rescue Mission version of the mold, giving him a paint job reminiscent of Sky-Lynx. In fact, he is supposed to be part of the Sky-Lynx set and is such made as DLC for the already expensive toy. He can combine with a similarly repainted Overair and use the Astro Squad Micromasters to add to the look of a Rocket Base.
The figure can be broken down into these pieces, and it's worth mentioning that while the gimmick is encouraging, you can't really get a specific combination out of the figure. I wasn't too much of a big fan of the one they showed on the instructions, so I used Hoist to make the most out of the gimmick since both are construction-themed. I gave him a shovel arm, a massive cannon, and boots. But as for my thoughts on Ironworks as a toy, I like how he turned out and am happy to own one before the Earthrise subline ended. Both modes do encourage the Modulator play pattern, the robot mode is a unique design, and the repaints he has each change the vibe of his purpose as a base for Micromasters! You can easily get him provided that there are some left in stores.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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